5 Blake Bortles QB

Coach Doug Marrone announced Monday that Bortles will serve as the backup to Cody Kessler for the Jaguars' Week 13 game against the Colts, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The wheels are coming off in Jacksonville -- losers of seven straight -- and changes will come at both quarterback and offensive coordinator, as the team fired Nathaniel Hackett on Monday. Bortles completed just 12 of 23 passes for 127 yards with one touchdown and two picks in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Bills and threw for only 104 yards the week prior. A first-round pick of the Jaguars who re-signed with the team on a three-year deal in February, Bortles' future with the only organization he's known is now in major question. Jacksonville will see if Kessler can provide a spark down the stretch and allow the team to end the season on a high note.

Bortles completed 12 of 23 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Sunday's 24-21 loss to Buffalo. He added 39 yards on six carries.

Bortles slung a 13-yard dart to Dede Westbrook for his first passing touchdown in two weeks in the closing moments of the fourth quarter, but it was literally too little too late. The Bills recovered the ensuing kick and the game was over. Bortles continues to look like the weak link in Jacksonville as he has failed to reach 150 yards passing in four of his last six games, tossing just five touchdowns during that span. True, Bortles can get it done with his legs, but he's scored just one rushing touchdown -- back in Week 5 -- all season. He's faced some stingy defenses in recent weeks, but will get a middle-of-the-road test against Indianapolis next Sunday, assuming he will be penciled into the starting lineup.

Bortles will get the start Week 12 in Buffalo, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Bortles had one of his worst games in an ugly season Sunday against the Steelers, taking six sacks and losing a fumble while completing just 10 of 18 passes for 104 yards. The complete lack of a passing game allowed Pittsburgh to erase a 16-point deficit and eventually pull out a 20-16 victory in the closing seconds. Bortles clearly is on the hot seat heading into a Week 12 matchup with a Buffalo defense ranked second in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.5) and first in passing yards allowed per game (202). The Jags presumably will try to win with a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette, but they could turn to Cody Kessler under center if it doesn't work out.

Bortles completed 10 of 18 passes for 104 yards while rushing twice for 17 yards and losing one of two fumbles in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Steelers.

Bortles wasn't asked to do much, as Jacksonville built up a 16-0 lead on the back of three field goals and a Leonard Fournette rushing score. While Pittsburgh's offense came alive late, the Jaguars' offensive unit stalled, leading to a 20-0 Steelers run in the final 17 minutes. Bortles has been held to 155 or fewer passing yards four times this season while exceeding 375 three times, so he'll have a low floor and high ceiling against the Bills in Week 12.

Bortles completed 26 of 38 pass attempts for 320 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 29-26 loss to the Colts.

Bortles enjoyed one of his most effective outings of the season as he averaged a healthy 8.4 yards per attempt while connecting with eight different receivers. He completed touchdown passes to Donte Moncrief and Lenoard Fournette, giving him his first multi-touchdown effort since Week 4. Bortles also refrained from turning the ball over and has now gone three games without an interception. He clearly seemed to benefit from Fournette's return to the lineup and will look to put on a similar performance next Sunday against the Steelers.